A newly released report raises questions about whether a third medical school in Waikato is the most efficient way to get more doctors onto health frontlines in Aotearoa New Zealand.
An overview of the country’s current medical education system and an assessment of future options to address problems has been canvassed in a report by global business advisory PWC.
The report was commissioned by two longtime opponents of a third medical school – Auckland and Otago universities.
The pair were the longtime campuses with both of New Zealand's medical schools.
Auckland Medical School dean Dr Warwick Bagg said the report has gone through all the options available to increase the number of medical students being educated across the country.
"What we're arguing for is what is the most cost effective way of doing that."
Bagg said Otago and Auckland have been presenting ways of increasing medical school intakes since 2017.
The long running shortage of doctors across the country was well known and widely accepted, with New Zealand traditionally reliant on overseas trained doctors for up to 40% of its workforce.
The PWC report found more cost effective training could be delivered by the two existing medical schools and that both universities could also increase intake numbers more quickly with increased funding.
The report also stated a four-year graduate entry programme that was central to Waikato University’s concept could also be considered.
Waikato University did not comment on the report. In a statement, the university said it had not been approached to provide details about Waikato’s proposal nor had it seen the PWC document.
Health Minister Shane Reti told 1News he expected the new medical school would complement, rather than compete with, existing programmes. Reti said he also expected the Ministry of Health to engage with the universities of Otago and Auckland throughout the process.
National announced the proposed new medical school at Waikato University in July 2023 during the election campaign.
The cost to fund the new medical school was estimated at $380m and a business case was now being prepared.
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